HCB coach Niklas Sundblad is still looking for form with his team. © Daniel Bamberger

Bolzano before the last test match: “A tricky situation”

It was a preseason program reminiscent of a playoff calendar. But now the time of preparation for the HCB is coming to an end. Before the last test match against Val Gardena, the Foxes are worried.

September 11, 2023

From: det

12 matches within 26 days – HC Bozen had to complete this mammoth program last month. The four Champions League games were joined by seven test matches, the eighth of which is on Tuesday evening in Selva di Val Gardena against Val Gardena. It starts in the Pranives Stadium at 20.30 p.m.

One thing is clear: HC Bozen is still looking for its form four days before the start of the championship. In the four games of the Champions Hockey League, the Foxes didn't get a point, scored just four goals and conceded 21. The 0-4 defeat against the supposedly weaker opponent from Belfast hurt the HCB soul in particular. Add to that the clear 1:6 defeat against HC Pustertal, which didn't necessarily help to improve the mood.

The motto is to get better in all areas

“The alarm bells in the white and red house are ringing shrilly,” says the Foxes’ press release. Defender Enrico Miglioranzi is in the same vein. “The only way to get out of this tricky situation is to stick together and work even harder than before,” analyzes the Defender. Miglioranzi knows: “We have to improve in all respects: finally score goals up front, be more cynical in front of the goal. But the defense and special teams also need to be improved, because so far we have simply given away too much.”

After the friendly against Val Gardena, things get serious for Bolzano. The ICE Hockey League begins on Friday, with the Foxes starting the Tyrolean derby against Innsbruck. It starts in the TIWAG Arena at 19.30 p.m. The next day, the White Reds make their home debut against Fehervar (19.45:XNUMX p.m.) in the Sparkasse Arena.